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The 4th June 2020 marks a historical day for the Maltese Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. On this day the Maltese Lieutenancy took custody of the historical chapel of Ta’ Doni in the Parish of Rabat, Malta. This would not have been possible without the support of His Grace Mons Charles J. Scicluna, Archbishop of Malta and Grand Prior, who granted the Chapel to the Lieutenancy in response to a request made by H.E. Roberto Buontempo, Lieutenant for Malta.

The original Ta’ Doni Chapel was built in the 16th century and was dedicated to the Assumption of Our Lady into Heaven and the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Doni means gifts in Maltese. The current chapel was rebuilt in the 17th century under the rule of the 18th Grand Master of the Order of St John, Nicholas Cottoner.

The Lieutenancy of Malta plans to make full use of the Chapel by organising religious functions for its members and for the public in general.

On Friday 1st May 2020, H.E. Roberto Buontempo, our Lieutenant, accompanied by members of the Council, attended a Holy Mass at Senglea Parish Church organised by Can. Robin Camilleri, Archpriest, as a sign of gratitude for the help given to families in need within his parish by EOHSJ Malta.

The Mass was offered for the repose of our dear departed as well as for the intention of His Most Eminent Highness the Prince and 80th Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta Fra’ Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto.

The suffering that certain families/individuals go through during testing times like these is immense. The Maltese Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem encourages everyone to donate. Any amount, big or small, will go a long way towards alleviating the financial difficulties being faced.

Today would have marked the beginning of our Investiture Weekend 2020, a much cherished and longed for event in the lives of all members of the Order and especially so in the lives of the postulants who would have been joining the Maltese Lieutenancy this year. Unfortunately the Lord had other plans for us and our ceremony had to be rescheduled.

H.E. the Lieutenant seen here with His Eminence Cardinal Grand Master Fernando Filoni

An official visit to the EOHSJ Headquarters in Rome by His Excellency Roberto Buontempo, Lieutenant, took place this week. The lieutenant had a number of formal cordial meetings during this visit, including meetings with His Eminence Fernando Cardinal Filoni, Grand Master; His Excellency Leonardo Visconti di Modrone, Governor General; and Fr Maxim Baz, Ecclesiastical Assistant to the Grand Magisterium. All these meetings were held at Palazzo Della Rovere on the 20th and 21st February.

Among other topics discussed, our upcoming Investiture Ceremony in April 2020, featured prominently. It is worth remembering that the Maltese Lieutenancy will be honoured to receive His Eminence the Cardinal Grand Master, who will be presiding over our Investiture Ceremony, and that this will be his first investiture outside of Italy since he took on his his new role as Grand Master in January.

H.E. the Lieutenant seen here with Fr. Maxim Baz, Ecclesiastical Assistant to the Grand Magisterium.

On Wednesday 12th February the Maltese Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem organised a public lecture on Heraldry and Nobility in Malta.

This was delivered by Dr Charles Gauci, the first Chief Herald of Malta, an international expert on Heraldry, as well as a Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre.

At the end of his talk Dr. Gauci presented H.E. Roberto Buontempo, our Lieutenant, with his personal coat of arms which, apart from the Buontempo arms, also depicts the Jerusalem Cross. It is worth noting that this is the first Coat of Arms to be registered in Malta.

Donations collected on the night will go towards the projects in the Holy Land which are being supported by our Lieutenancy.

The lecture was held at the Aula Prima of the University Campus in Valletta, the complimentary use of which was offered by the University of Malta in support of our cause.

On 16 January 2020, Cardinal Fernando Filoni, the new Grand Master of the Order, was officially welcomed to Palazzo della Rovere, the Rome headquarters of the Grand Magisterium, during a hand-over ceremony in which his predecessor Cardinal Edwin O’Brien also participated.

On Thursday 12th December 2019, the Maltese Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem held its Annual Christmas Gathering. Thanks to the benevolence of our Grand Prior, His Grace Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna, this event took place at the Archbishop’s Curia in Floriana. Mass at the Curia Chapel was followed by a reception in the Refectory. This event was well attended by members and postulants alike along with their families. All proceeds from this event will go to the project being supported by the Maltese Lieutenancy in the Holy Land.

By decision of the Holy Father, His Eminence Cardinal Fernando Filoni has been appointed Grand Master of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre starting this December 8 2019, Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.

We publish below the official communiqué of His Eminence Cardinal Edwin O’Brien, Grand Master of the Order since 2012, who concludes his mandate a few months after reaching the age of 80.

“It is with complete acceptance and appreciation that I welcome the decision of Pope Francis to replace me as Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. I am especially pleased that His Holiness has appointed His Eminence Fernando Cardinal Filoni as my successor.

I have been privileged well beyond the time of my letter of resignation, submitted over five years ago. Throughout my more than eight years as Grand Master, my personal faith and love of our Church have deepened as I have witnessed our members’ commitment to the goals of our Order, expressed in different cultures and languages, all profoundly Catholic!

I am most grateful to the two Governors General with whom I have served, Their Excellencies, Professor Agostino Borromeo and Ambassador Leonardo Visconti di Modrone. Our collaborators in the Grand Magisterium and the daily, dedicated service of our office staff largely account for the steady growth of our Order. Their commitment to our lieutenancies and to the mission of the Latin Patriarchate has been unwavering.

Finally, I welcome His Eminence, Cardinal Filoni as Our Grand Master. His long and broad pastoral and administrative experience in service to the Universal Church will be precious assets as he leads our Order into the future. I offer him my full and fraternal support as I beg the continued intercession of Our Lady of Palestine.”

[Write-up reproduced from the Official EOHSJ Grand Magisterium website:

On Friday 1st November, All Saints Day, the Maltese Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem attended a Pontifical Mass at St. John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta. Mass was celebrated by His Grace Mons. Charles J. Scicluna, Archbishop of Malta and Grand Prior of our Order.

A number of members and postulants of the Order attended along with H.E. Roberto Buontempo, our Lieutenant. Members of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, including their Ambassador to Malta, were also present.